Megaminx Tutorial

The 12-Sided Challenge

Advanced
Megaminx
⏱️ Time needed: 2-3 hours to learn
📝 Prerequisites: Must know 3x3 cube (beginner or CFOP method)
🎯 Goal: Solve the 12-sided Megaminx puzzle

What is the Megaminx?

The Megaminx is a dodecahedron-shaped puzzle with 12 pentagonal faces. Think of it as a 3x3 cube on steroids - it uses similar algorithms but requires more turns and patience!

Puzzle Stats

  • 12 faces (not 6)
  • 50 moveable pieces
  • 30 edge pieces
  • 20 corner pieces
  • ~10⁶⁸ possible combinations

What Makes It Hard

  • More faces to solve
  • Longer algorithms needed
  • Requires stamina
  • Takes 100+ moves to solve
Good News: If you can solve a 3x3, you can solve this! The algorithms are nearly identical.

Understanding Megaminx Structure

Pentagon Faces

Each face has 5 edges and 5 corners (instead of 4 on a cube). This means:

  • Each center piece is pentagonal
  • 5 edges surround each center (not 4)
  • 5 corners on each face (not 4)
Key Insight: The Megaminx is just a 3x3 cube with extra edges and corners! Same principles apply.

Beginner Method (Layer by Layer)

We'll solve the Megaminx layer by layer, similar to the beginner 3x3 method:

Step 1: First Layer (White/Your Color)

Intuitive

Choose a color (usually white) and solve the entire first layer - both edges and corners.

Strategy:

  1. Make a star (all 5 edges around white center)
  2. Insert all 5 corners one by one
  3. This step is completely intuitive
  4. Takes practice but no algorithms needed
Pro Tip: Solve the star (edges) first, then add corners. Much easier than trying to do both at once!

Time Investment:

First layer should take 1-2 minutes once you're practiced. Take your time learning!

Step 2: Second Layer (5 Colors)

3x3 Algorithms

Solve the 5 faces surrounding your first layer using standard 3x3 edge insertion algorithms.

Edge Insertion Algorithms:

Right Algorithm:

U R U' R' U' F' U F

Left Algorithm:

U' L' U L U F U' F'

How to Apply:

  1. Hold white layer on bottom
  2. Work on the 5 middle layer edges one at a time
  3. Position edge on top, then insert using R or L algorithm
  4. Repeat for all 5 edges on each of the 5 faces
  5. Yes, that's 25 edges total!
Important: After solving each face's middle layer, rotate the entire Megaminx to work on the next face.

Step 3: Last Layer Star

OLL-style

Make a star on the last layer (orient all 5 edges on the final face).

Star Algorithm:

R U R' U R U2 R'

How to use:

  • Identify which edges are correctly oriented (matching top color)
  • Position the Megaminx to have a specific pattern
  • Apply algorithm 1-3 times until star is complete
Pattern Recognition: Same as 3x3 OLL - look for dots, lines, and L-shapes.

Step 4: Position Last Layer Edges

PLL-style

Move the 5 star edges to their correct positions (without worrying about corners yet).

Edge Permutation Algorithm:

R U R' U R U2 R' U

Apply this algorithm while rotating U layer to cycle edges into correct positions.

Step 5: Position Corners

Same as 3x3

Move corners to their correct positions (they may still be twisted).

Corner Positioning Algorithm:

U R U' L' U R' U' L

Apply this algorithm to swap corners. May need to repeat several times for all 5 corners.

Step 6: Orient Last Layer Corners

Final Step!

Twist corners to solve the entire Megaminx!

Corner Orientation Algorithm:

R' D' R D

How to Apply:

  1. Hold Megaminx so solved corner is on front-right-top
  2. Do R' D' R D two or four times to orient that corner
  3. Turn U to move next unsolved corner to that position
  4. Repeat for all 5 corners
  5. The Megaminx may look scrambled - don't panic!
  6. After the last corner, everything will solve itself!
Magic Moment: When you finish the 5th corner, the entire puzzle solves! This is the most satisfying moment.

Complete Solution Summary

1️⃣ First Layer

Star + 5 corners

2️⃣ Second Layer

25 edges (5 faces × 5 edges)

3️⃣ Last Layer Star

Orient 5 edges

4️⃣ Position Edges

Move edges to spots

5️⃣ Position Corners

Move corners to spots

6️⃣ Orient Corners

Twist all 5 corners

Advanced Method: CFOP for Megaminx

Once you master the beginner method, you can adapt CFOP techniques:

Advanced Approach

  • Solve first layer (white star + corners)
  • Solve 5 middle layers using F2L-style pairs
  • Use 2-look or full OLL for last layer orientation
  • Use 2-look or full PLL for last layer permutation
Achieves sub-2 minute solves

Practice Tips

  • Stamina: First solves take 15-30 minutes. Build endurance!
  • Pattern recognition: Learn to spot piece positions quickly
  • Finger tricks: Same techniques as 3x3 apply here
  • Track progress: Use our timer to measure improvement
  • Break it down: Practice each layer separately
  • Goal times: Sub-10 minutes is good, sub-5 is advanced

Common Challenges

Challenge #1: Getting Lost

Solution: Always know which layer you're working on. Mark the white face if needed.

Challenge #2: Forgetting Where You Are

Solution: Solve one face at a time methodically. Don't rush!

Challenge #3: Taking Too Long

Solution: Normal! First solve can take 45+ minutes. Speed comes with practice.

Related Puzzles

Kilominx

2-layer megaminx (easier)

Intermediate

Gigaminx

5-layer megaminx (huge!)

Expert

Teraminx

7-layer megaminx (massive!)

Extreme

Conquer the Megaminx! 🌟

The Megaminx is a marathon, not a sprint. Take breaks, stay patient, and enjoy the journey!

Track Your Progress Review 3x3 Methods